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Category Archives: Tools

I just love it when things fall into place and I have a reason to start a new quilt! Truthfully, this happens to me more often than I am inspired to finish an existing project – hence my reputation as a quilter with Quilt Project Attention Deficit Disorder (QPADD). Since this condition does not seem to cause me much distress, I will blithely tell you about my newest project. Here are ...

I recently had the pleasure of reviewing Quilting the New Classics by Michelle Muska. The unique approach of the book was to ask twenty quilters to make quilts using ten of the most well-known and much loved quilt blocks:
Double Wedding Ring
Crazy Quilt
Dresden Plate
Bear Paw
Log Cabin
Nine-Patch
Hexagon
Yo-Yo
Flying Geese
Rail Fence
Ten quilters designed a quilt that reflected the traditional use of the block assigned to them. Another ten took the same block ...

If you are a regular follower here on Notions, CT‘s staff blog, you may remember that I have a history of starting more projects than I finish, love to try new tools, and tend to make scrappy quilts to help justify the size of my fabric stash (25+ years worth). Recently at least, I tend to embark upon smaller quilted projects with the hope I will complete ...

EZ Quilting Pineapple Ruler
I was recently asked to test EZ Quilting Pineapple Ruler, a new product on the CT website. I wanted to finish the project and tell you about it because this specialty ruler is still on sale for a few more days!
The EZ Quilting Pineapple Ruler instructions called for using an assortment of 1-1/2″ strips. I had lots of ...

This blog is a follow-up to my posting about Furoshiki Fun on November 25th. To read more about my plan to use fabric to wrap my Christmas presents in the manner of Japanese furoshiki wrapping clothes, click here. You will see photos of several different knots to try.
First, I needed to cut fabric squares. Mostly, I used holiday batiks from the Batik Paradise Novelties ...

While doing an internet search, I came across a fun idea on the Sew What’s New website for a Lollipop Christmas Ornament by Crouton Crackerjacks. To view the helpful video tutorial for making the ornament, click here. When you watch the video and read my steps below, you will see some slight variations, but the end result was similar – and very cute!
When ...

Okay – so making a pin cushion out of a cup is not a new idea. The reason for this one is, well – I found a cute (and free!) grey cup and saucer in the photo department’s prop give-away. Since my quilt studio is done in yellow and grey, it was logical that, all of a sudden, I needed a new pin cushion!
I did an internet search for tutorials on making pin ...

Clover Patchwork Pins 0.4 mm
CT recently started carrying the 0.4 mm version of Clover Patchwork Pins. I kept asking for them and now we have them! At .4mm x 36 mm, these are my absolute favorite straight pins for piecing quilts.
Why do I LOVE these 0.4 mm pins?
Let me count the ways…
They are very sharp and fine!
They glide easily through quilting ...

Chevrons seem to be everywhere in quilting, home décor, and clothing. They have a modern, graphic appeal with a sense of movement and vibrancy. Since my work revolves around quilting patterns and designing, I have come across several ways to construct chevrons. While there is often more than one way to do a design or technique in quilting, it is a bit unusual to find so many methods to accomplish the same design element. Please keep in mind, I am ...

During my son’s high school years, we had a ping pong table in our living/dining room. The room was admittedly used more often by my family for playing ping pong than it ever was for dining or entertaining company. Now that DS is off to college in the fall, I am slowly reclaiming the space on a very limited budget. The dining room is now furnished with a lovely ...